Prairie to Peak: WACD celebrates 80 years during annual convention
Since 1945, the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) has served as a unifying voice for Wyoming’s 34 local conservation districts, working closely with local, state and federal agencies to advocate for sound conservation policy and support on-the-ground projects which make a lasting impact.
“Prairie to Peak – 80 Years of Wyoming Conservation” was the theme of the WACD 80th Annual Convention, hosted by the Campbell County Conservation District in Gillette Nov. 19-21.
The convention brought together members for three days of sessions featuring comments from agency personnel and partners, as well as several guest speakers.
Additional highlights included the unveiling of WACD’s new official logo, a trade show and an awards luncheon honoring exceptional district employees and key partners from across the state.
New logo
To kick off the convention, WACD President Ryan Fieldgrove offered opening comments, welcoming attendees and thanking sponsors before unveiling a new WACD logo.
“As we mark our 80th year and celebrate the challenges we’ve overcome, we felt it was time to consider a fresh new logo,” Fieldgrove remarked, explaining WACD sent out a call to members of conservation districts throughout the state to gather logo concepts for the new design.
The new logo is a culmination of concepts submitted by Tracy Berg of Sublette County Conservation District, Gary Barton of Lingle-Fort Laramie Conservation District, Lisa Shaw of Niobrara County Conservation District and Janet Hoffman of Washakie County Conservation District.
The new logo features depictions of the sun, an outline of the Teton Mountain Range, a group of trees and a softer yellow tone – all of which are meant to symbolize the strength of conservation districts and reflect Wyoming’s natural resources.
“Barton’s incorporation of the sun was something we wanted to highlight as the giver of life, and Berg’s submission included mountains we altered to be an outline of the Tetons,” Fieldgrove explained.
“Hoffman eloquently stated trees – like our districts – strengthen over time, and Shaw’s design inspired the softer, more versatile yellow we are adopting which draws us to remember Wyoming’s vast prairies,” he continued.
“We hope you love this design as much as we do,” concluded Fieldgrove. “We are excited to embark on the next 80 years of conserving natural resources for our future.”
Following Fieldgrove’s opening address, representatives of two WACD partner agencies – the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Wyoming Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – offered updates from their respective organizations.
DEQ updates
Wyoming DEQ Director Todd Parfitt provided a brief update on the department’s upcoming budget provisions before highlighting some ongoing environmental issues the agency is working to address.
Parfitt began by highlighting the success of a recent water quality conference where more than 150 guests gathered to exchange information on water policy.
He then explained the department is hoping to expand its workforce to keep up with growing interest in carbon sequestration, including hiring one additional full-time employee in the department’s water quality underground and protection control program and additional employees to staff new facilities.
Other budget requests will focus on addressing vacancy rates within the DEQ’s air quality and water quality divisions, according to Parfitt.
Parfitt further noted an ongoing departmental effort to reach an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Interior and the state of Wyoming to “create a pathway to continue protecting surface waters and groundwaters within Yellowstone National Park” and clear up the debate of which agency should have ultimate authority.
Additionally, Parfitt provided an overview of some ongoing legislation concerning the DEQ, highlighting conversations on permitting reform, cooperative federalism, artificial intelligence and updating the definition of “waters of the U.S.”
He also noted DEQ is in the process of preparing a fiscal note to assess the impact of aircraft emissions and pollutants from balloons, as well as supporting a pending bill within the Select Water Committee which would provide funding for the department to expand wastewater infrastructure.
In closing, Parfitt praised the partnership between DEQ and WACD.
“A lot of invaluable collaboration goes on between DEQ and conservation districts,” he stated. “When we work together, we work better and we get more accomplished.”
NRCS updates
Next, NRCS State Conservationist Jackie Byam offered an update on the current state of NRCS operations.
Byam explained agency functions are slowly returning to normal following the lengthy government shutdown and highlighted a “very healthy financial assistance budget” which has been determined for the upcoming fiscal year.
“One of the positives to come out of the shutdown funding bill is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) NRCS is fully funded through the fiscal year,” Byam began.
She explained the budget makes provisions for several key programs, including the Agricultural Management Assistance program, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
She also highlighted potential funding which is still being finalized for several other programs.
Additionally, Byam teased forthcoming changes which she hopes will bring about streamlined efficiency at the national level and discussed the agency’s current hiring status.
“The good news is the hiring freeze is over, but the bad news is we’re waiting to see what the process is going to look like,” Byam said. “We are waiting on guidance from agency leadership on how to move forward with hiring, but hopefully we’ll get movement soon – especially with critical vacancies we were not able to hire last summer.”
Finally, Byam gave an update on travel and training policies, noting operational travel has been delegated back to the states, which she expects to lead to an increase in field work with partners across the state and a greater capacity for in-person training opportunities.
Keep an eye out for more highlights from the 80th Annual WACD Convention in future editions of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
